E3: Top 13 Wanted Announcements

Added 05/23/2005 by Dakota Grabowski

Yesterday I covered several titles that are 99% guaranteed to be present on the E3 floor.Today, I turn the tables and focus on thirteen additional games that I’d love to see on the floor with either hands-on or video coverage. Some of these titles have been announced in the past but, unfortunately, have been delayed or the development permanently halted. Whatever the reason may have been, I am remaining hopeful for all of them.

Let’s jump right in with a few titles starting from #13 and counting down to #1.

13) Tecmo Duo: Dead or Alive Code Cronus & Ninja Gaiden 2

Both titles are fit together for the thirteen spot. Dead or Alive Code Cronus’ genre allocating has changed several times.Early rumors said it was going to be the first DOA RPG complete with all the characters from the series. The latest mumblings have stated that it will turn out to be Kasumi’s (almost every guy’s favorite woman from the series) own action game. I am hoping that it actually is indeed an RPG since I’d rather Ninja Gaiden 2 be released to fill that action genre again.


12) Jade Empire 2 (Jade Empire 2: Scarlet Sultan)

Okay so the subtitle is made up but it’s my own personal direction for the game. Jade Empire has proven to be one of the best role-playing games this generation and a sequel had been talked about for quite some time. Now, if we can get confirmation at E3 on who’s developing it, that’d be great. Bioware may not end up developing the sequel due to the fact that they have two other games currently in development. I’d hope they tackle the Horse Lords story in the sequel or maybe take on the Ottoman Empire and the Turks. Hence the name, “Scarlet Sultan”.

11) TIE: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 3 or Bioware’s 360 Project

Yes, there’s a tie. We all know that KOTOR 3 is bound to be released so it’s lowered on my list since I know that it will be developed sooner or later. What we don’t know is Bioware’s next project. From early talk, they have licensed the Unreal 3 engine so the possibilities are endless. Both titles shall be among my favorites, so we’ll see what the future holds for them.

10) HALO 3

Surprise! It’s quite low on my list since it’s in the same boat that KOTOR 3 is in. We know it’s coming, so the only thing we can do is sit and wait. The titles above Halo 3 are ones that need to be revived so we can enjoy a better variety of games on the Xbox 360 rather than an overload of first-person shooters. Halo 3 will be game of the year caliber, so no doubts on if it will deliver the same experience. The only question is when.

9) Phantagram Trio- Strident, Duality, Shining Lore

These three games were around when Microsoft showcased the first Xbox and I am hoping they resurface for the Xbox 360. Strident revolves around World War 3. Yes, World War 3. Being an action game with RPG qualities, Strident could have been similar to Phantom Dust. Duality is an adventure game that compares to Metal Gear Solid but with an Eternal Darkness twist. Phantagram initially intended on having you play through the game with three different characters to see different perspectives on the story. The last is Shining Lore, an MMORPG. Shining Lore could have been Xbox’s first MMO but Phantagram put this on the back burner or ultimately canceled it. These three titles would be icing on the cake if Microsoft could publish them. Phantagram is making Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes already and is helping Q Entertainment with Ninety-Nine Nights. We may never see these titles in development again with Phantagram’s busy schedule.


8) Peter Molyneux Fabled 5- BC, Dimitri, Fable 2, Black & White, Fable: The Lost Chapters

We all know that Fable 2 is coming one way or another. What we don’t know is if BC or Dimitri will make it to the Xbox 360. BC was halted until they could make the game they intended on creating. They even went ahead to announce that they would be making BC 2 in the future. Will it debut at the launch of the Xbox 360? Will it ever see the sunshine again? Dimitri, on the other hand, is Peter’s ultra-secret project that not too many are talking about, which is a good thing. Black & White for the Xbox has been discussed since 2001. Black & White 2 is already in development, so Microsoft may see that it make its way to the Xbox 360. The last title in the oven could be Fable: The Lost Chapters. I am guessing this could be a part of download content this fall with the Xbox 360 at launch. This would only work though if Xbox 360 is backwards compatible. Advertising that the expansion is available for download for free would hype up the Marketplace on Xbox Live.

7) Panzer Dragoon Saga 2

The Panzer Dragoon series is overly popular with hardcore gamers. Continuing on the series titling it under Panzer Dragoon Saga should turn some heads. Panzer Dragoon Saga is considered one of the better RPGs so if it was to follow the same lineage, it could sell overly well also. Panzer Dragoon Orta was possibly the best rail shooter I have played so reverting back to the role-playing elements could be a good move since Orta didn’t sell too well.


6) Killer Instinct X

Yeah, I know it’s not the best fighter ever but with Soul Calibur 3 exclusive to the Playstation 3, Killer Instinct could help fill that void. It may not be the best solution, but Microsoft could use characters like the Master Chief for special characters. It would help sell the game, that’s for sure. It wouldn’t be too smart to release it at launch since DOA4 will be released around that time, but it could be for the first year anniversary in 2006.

5) Banjo-Kazooie 3

First off, I want to say that I don’t want Rare tackling too many projects because they still haven’t finished Kameo and Conker. Plus, add in Perfect Dark Zero and their Game Boy Advance games, they will be busy for a long time. Now onto Banjo, the item collecting will need to be toned down or at least approached differently. If they perfect it for the next generation of games rather than reverting back to the old style of gameplay, Banjo could be an instant hit.

4) Shenmue 3

This would answer a lot of fans’ petitions, prayers and stop all the whining. It would be great to halt all three and by just announcing Shenmue 3 would accomplish that. There has been talk of Shenmue Online, but it’s not the same. I need to see the trilogy complete, so Sega needs to get the ball rolling.


3) Any Square Enix Game

Particularly I’d like to see Final Fantasy 12 or Dragon Warrior/Quest 8 on the Xbox 360. I’d even settle for Kingdom Hearts 2. Hell, if they gave Microsoft anything I’d be giddy. Maybe Microsoft worked something out to get the next Chrono title. Chrono Trigger and Cross proved to be popular so another title in the works would excite the Japanese market.

2) True Fantasy Live Online

Returning to its full glory would be the route everyone hopes for. Rumors have stated that it’s making its way back but nobody knows if it’s going to be on the Xbox 360 or not. Well, I am hoping since I would pay every dime and nickel of the MSRP for this MMO. I haven’t heard any negative hype for it among fellow writers, so it could turn out to be a real eye catcher.

1) Shadow Run

If everything is true about the speculation, Bungie and FASA could be working together to make this sci-fi cyber punk RPG one of the best ever. Most RPG developers create fantasy or mythical RPGs, but this will be a whole new approach. It has been done before (Genesis/SNES) but it’s about time Shadow Run be recreated for the next generation of consoles. Even if Bungie isn’t attached to the game, it should be a stellar RPG all around.


Not every idea seemed to fit right for the list, so here a few that barely missed the mark. They could turn out to be certified hits.

Close Calls:
Fuzion Frenzy 2
Crimson Skies 2
Deathrow 2
Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio 2 (Jet Tag Radio would be my title for the game)

There you have it. Yesterday I provided 13 games already announced and today I finished up the 13 games that should be announced. Each of them have their own personal traits that could stun audiences. If you feel that your favorite has missed the list, feel free to stop by in the forums and chat with the staff and members on your picks.